In a landmark verdict, five police officers from Bharathipuram Police Station in Kantale have been handed life sentences with rigorous labor for their involvement in the deaths of eight local residents nearly 26 years ago.

The victims, who were arrested on suspicion of attacking the police post, were reportedly killed by an armed group while in police custody. Anuradhapura High Court Judge Manoj Thalgodapitiya delivered the verdict on Friday, convicting the officers, including the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the station, for unlawful assembly with intent to commit murder. Notably, the court acquitted and released two accused officers from the case. .